Joey Feek Solo Album ‘If Not for You’ to See Posthumous Release

The music world will be reintroduced to the late Joey Feek in the form of a new solo album, If Not for You, to be released on April 7. Husband Rory Feek and Gaither Music Group have teamed up to allow the traditional country album to see the light of day.

According to the Tennessean, the 12-song collection begins with a cameo from her parents, Jack and June Martin. It also includes the original version of Joey+Rory’s “That's Important to Me.” Physical copies will include a 48-page insert with photos and stories written by the Feeks and Joey's family.

Longtime fans may recall the music, as it was released in 2005 under the album title Strong Enough to Cry. The album was available in limited copies through Feek's website and at Joey+Rory's shows.

“It’s one of the great joys of my life to dust these songs off and bring them to life again,” Rory Feek writes in the album’s booklet. “Not just the songs, but also the stories and the life of the special woman that these songs represent.”

Country Stars Who Died Before Their Time

While Rory is happy to get his late wife's music out to the masses, Joey's father tells the Tennessean that it’s “hard to get excited” as his daughter isn’t here to witness the release herself.

“It seems odd to share in something she can’t share with us,” Jack says. “The thing about this album that I hope people listen to is our daughter can sing. Oh my gosh, she is such a talent and I hope people get the opportunity to listen to her and see what she’s all about.”

Joey passed away on March 4, 2016, after her long battle with cancer. She and her husband recently won a Grammy Award in the Roots Gospel Album category for their album Hymns That Are Important to Us at the February 2017 ceremony, nearly a year after her death. Rory also released his autobiography, This Life I Live, last month. That book deals with his turbulent life prior to meeting and marrying Joey, their marriage and career together and her courageous battle with cancer, which inspired fans all over the world.